Apparatus and method for treating obesity using neurotoxins in conjunction with bariatric procedures

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for facilitating weight loss in a patient. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of administering a neurotoxin to a stomach tissue of an obese patient and performing one of several types of bariatric surgeries in the patient, thereby reducing or eliminating unwanted side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to methods for facilitating weight loss. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for reducing weight loss by performing a bariatric procedure in conjunction with an administration of a neurotoxin, e.g., a botulinum toxin, at or in the vicinity of the site of the surgical procedure. Numerous procedures may be performed using the method of the present invention, including insertion of an intragastric balloon into the stomach, application of a gastric band around or inside the stomach, or gastric bypass surgery. Those skilled in the art of the invention will recognize that the method of the present invention is not limited to those types of procedures, and that the method of the present invention may be performed in any procedure where the physiology of the stomach is altered or an object is inserted into the stomach. The use of a neurotoxin, e.g., botulinum, lessens the discomfort associated with bariatric proc...

Examples

Example

Example 1

[0138]In this first example, an endoscopic procedure is described to locally inject botulinum toxin inside the stomach. Reference is made to FIG. 5.

[0139]A middle age male patient has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of between 30-40. The patient is a good candidate for an intragastric balloon procedure to help him lose weight.

[0140]The patient wishes to lose weight and elects to undergo a BioEntericsg Intragastric Balloon (BIB®) System, for example.

[0141]To locally administer a neurotoxin to a stomach site, an endoscopy is performed with a standard adult forward-viewing gastroscopic instrument. The site of administration on the stomach is estimated both gastroscopically as well as by a previously performed manometry. At the administration site, a neurotoxin, e.g., botulinum toxin type A, is injected via a 4-mm sclerotherapy needle passed thorough the biopsy channel of the gastroscope 24 (FIG. 5). One milliliter of a 10 U / mL solution can be injected into each site on the stomach (se...

Example

Example 2

[0144]In this second example, a laparoscopic procedure is described to deploy a gastric band, with neurotoxin being administered prior to the implantation of the gastric band. Reference is made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 6, and 8.

[0145]A middle age female patient has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of between 30-60. The patient is a good candidate for a gastric band procedure to help her lose weight.

[0146]The patient wishes to lose weight and elects to undergo a LAP-BAND® procedure, for example.

[0147]Routine procedures for laparoscopic surgical entrance into the abdominal cavity are followed, using surgical procedures known to those skilled in the art. A laparoscope 41 (FIG. 6) is used to view the stomach and perform the procedure in a minimally invasive procedure. The optical system of the laparoscope is useful in positioning the needle that is attached to the tip of the laparoscope for injection of neurotoxin, preferably botulinum toxin type A. Once the laparoscope is positioned at the app...

Example

Example 3

[0151]In this third example, a method for facilitating weight loss with local administration of botulinum toxin to the stomach followed by implantation of a gastric band is discussed.

[0152]In this example, the patient is a male at least 60-100 pounds overweight. The patient is a good candidate for a gastric band procedure to help him lose weight.

[0153]The patient wishes to lose weight and elects to undergo a LAP-BAND® procedure. A few weeks prior to and / or at the time of the actual LAP-BAND® procedure, the patient is administered with a botulinum toxin to relax the stomach muscles. Using gastroscopic techniques, the botulinum toxin is administered to the upper part of the stomach, preferably to or in the vicinity of a site where the band is to be deployed (“in the vicinity” of the site means, for example, within about less than 10 cm from the site of where the band is to be deployed on the stomach).

[0154]The time gap between the pre-administration of the botulinum toxin and...

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to methods for facilitating weight loss. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for reducing weight loss by performing a bariatric procedure in conjunction with an administration of a neurotoxin, e.g., a botulinum toxin, at or in the vicinity of the site of the surgical procedure. Numerous procedures may be performed using the method of the present invention, including insertion of an intragastric balloon into the stomach, application of a gastric band around or inside the stomach, or gastric bypass surgery. Those skilled in the art of the invention will recognize that the method of the present invention is not limited to those types of procedures, and that the method of the present invention may be performed in any procedure where the physiology of the stomach is altered or an object is inserted into the stomach. The use of a neurotoxin, e.g., botulinum, lessens the discomfort associated with bariatric proc...

Examples

Example

Example 1

[0138]In this first example, an endoscopic procedure is described to locally inject botulinum toxin inside the stomach. Reference is made to FIG. 5.

[0139]A middle age male patient has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of between 30-40. The patient is a good candidate for an intragastric balloon procedure to help him lose weight.

[0140]The patient wishes to lose weight and elects to undergo a BioEntericsg Intragastric Balloon (BIB®) System, for example.

[0141]To locally administer a neurotoxin to a stomach site, an endoscopy is performed with a standard adult forward-viewing gastroscopic instrument. The site of administration on the stomach is estimated both gastroscopically as well as by a previously performed manometry. At the administration site, a neurotoxin, e.g., botulinum toxin type A, is injected via a 4-mm sclerotherapy needle passed thorough the biopsy channel of the gastroscope 24 (FIG. 5). One milliliter of a 10 U / mL solution can be injected into each site on the stomach (se...

Example

Example 2

[0144]In this second example, a laparoscopic procedure is described to deploy a gastric band, with neurotoxin being administered prior to the implantation of the gastric band. Reference is made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 6, and 8.

[0145]A middle age female patient has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of between 30-60. The patient is a good candidate for a gastric band procedure to help her lose weight.

[0146]The patient wishes to lose weight and elects to undergo a LAP-BAND® procedure, for example.

[0147]Routine procedures for laparoscopic surgical entrance into the abdominal cavity are followed, using surgical procedures known to those skilled in the art. A laparoscope 41 (FIG. 6) is used to view the stomach and perform the procedure in a minimally invasive procedure. The optical system of the laparoscope is useful in positioning the needle that is attached to the tip of the laparoscope for injection of neurotoxin, preferably botulinum toxin type A. Once the laparoscope is positioned at the app...

Example

Example 3

[0151]In this third example, a method for facilitating weight loss with local administration of botulinum toxin to the stomach followed by implantation of a gastric band is discussed.

[0152]In this example, the patient is a male at least 60-100 pounds overweight. The patient is a good candidate for a gastric band procedure to help him lose weight.

[0153]The patient wishes to lose weight and elects to undergo a LAP-BAND® procedure. A few weeks prior to and / or at the time of the actual LAP-BAND® procedure, the patient is administered with a botulinum toxin to relax the stomach muscles. Using gastroscopic techniques, the botulinum toxin is administered to the upper part of the stomach, preferably to or in the vicinity of a site where the band is to be deployed (“in the vicinity” of the site means, for example, within about less than 10 cm from the site of where the band is to be deployed on the stomach).

[0154]The time gap between the pre-administration of the botulinum toxin and...

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